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BIMSTEC Newsletter Volume 63 February 2013

KING AND QUEEN OF BHUTAN PAID A GOODWILL VISIT TO BANGLADESH

His Majesty the King of Bhutan Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and the Queen Gyaltsuen Jetsun Pema Wangchuck paid a goodwill visit to Bangladesh on 14-19 February 2013. His Majesty the King and the Queen were accorded a warm and hearty welcome by the people of Bangladesh. The King of Bhutan met the Hon’ble President Md. Zillur Rahman at Bangabhaban on 18 February 2013. Welcoming the King and Queen at Bangabhaban, the Hon’ble President said that an excellent bilateral relation was prevailing between the two countries. The President also said that the visit would further strengthen the existing relations between the two countries. The President expressed his gratitude to Bhutanese people recalling that Bhutan was the first country to recognize Bangladesh as an independent nation. The Bhutanese King invited the Bangladesh President to visit Bhutan in his convenient time. After the meeting, His Majesty the King and Queen joined a dinner at the Bangabhaban hosted by Hon’ble President Md. Zillur Rahman, which was attended by, among others, Hon’ble Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Hon’ble Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on 15 February 2013 hosted a dinner in honour of the Bhutanese King and Queen at her official residence Ganobhaban. Welcoming the Bhutanese Royal guests to Bangladesh, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said the visit would further strengthen the existing relations between the two countries. Terming the Bangladesh-Bhutan relation as historical, the Hon’ble Prime Minister recalled Bhutan’s support to our war of independence and being the first country to accord diplomatic recognition to the independent state of Bangladesh, Bangladesh with Bhutan historical. The dinner was followed by a cultural programme. Foreign Minister Dr. Dipu Moni, MP paid a courtesy call on His Majesty King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck. The Royal dignitaries visited places of historic importance, some pharmaceutical, ceramic and RMG factories in Bangladesh. Source: Embassy of Bangladesh, Bangkok Volume 63

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ALMSGIVING CEREMONY TO CELEBRATE THE 260th ANNIVERSARY OF IN

Sri Lanka in 2013 to jointly celebrate the New Year with Thai community in Sri Lanka. The event started when Venerable Galboda Gnanis- sara Thera led a group of 26 Thai and Sri Lanka monks to start an almsround from Gangaramaya to the Ambassador’s Residence. At the residence, the monks received food from Thai and Sri Lankan partici- pants, notably H.E. Mr. Karunatilaka Amunugama Secretary of External Affairs, Mrs. Nirmalie Gunatilleke, Sri Lanka-Thailand Society President and Mr. Thongchai Tungkasareeruk, Thai Airways’ General Manager for Sri Lanka. Afterwards, the monks offered chanting to the participants. In the morning of 13 January 2013, H.E. Mr. Poldej The Royal Thai Embassy held the event in order to Worachat, Thai Ambassador to Sri Lanka, in association introduce the almsgiving ceremony (Pindaptha) in with Venerable Galboda Gnanissara Thera, Chief Sri Lanka. Almsgiving can hardly be seen in the country Incumbent of , Venerable Seewali as Sri Lankan Buddhists prefer to offer breakfast and Thero, Head of Thai-Sri Lanka Buddhist Cultural lunch to monks at the temples. Center, organized the almsgiving ceremony (Pindapatha in Sinhala) at the Ambassador’s Residence to mark the Source: http://sameaf.mfa.go.th beginning of 260th Anniversary of Siam Nikaya in

PRESIDENT U THEIN SEIN RECEIVES INDIAN LOK SABHA SPEAKER AND PARTY

LOK SABHA Speaker Honourable Smt. Meira Kumar on 13 February 2013 at the Presidential Palace. They exchanged views on the implementation of Kaladan Project, sooner completion of -Myanmar-Thai highway construction, gearing up of repair works of Moreh - Tamu-Kalay- Kalewa-Mandalay route, reemergence of Lido Road built in WWII that would be of benefit to India, Myanmar and China in trade, effective cooperation for ensuring peace and stability in

border region, further cooperation in ICT sector with the Ministry of Science and Technology and boosting cooperation between the two countries and cementing bilateral friendship. H.E. U Thein Sein, President of the Republic of the Source: The Embassy of Myanmar, Bangkok Union of Myanmar received an Indian delegation led by BANGLADESH-INDIA SIGNED SEVERAL INSTRUMENTS IN JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2013 Indian Home Minister Mr. Sushil Kumar Shinde and Extradition, Revised Travel Arrangements, an MOU on Indian Foreign Secretary Mr. Ranjan Mathai visited Cooperation between the Foreign Service Academy of Bangladesh on 28-29 January 2013 and 9-11 February Bangladesh and the Foreign Service Institute of India 2013 respectively. Bangladesh Minister for Health and and an MOU on Cooperation in the Fields of Health and Family Welfare Dr. A.F.M. Ruhal Haque, MP visited Medical Sciences. India on 10-12 February 2013. During the visits, Bangladesh and India signed a Treaty relating to Source: Embassy of Bangladesh, Bangkok Volume 63

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PRESIDENT OF SRI LANKA AND THAI AMBASSADOR TO SRI LANKA PAY HOMAGE TO BUDDHA

Venerable as a token of appreciation and it was kept at the temple up to the present. The public display of the relic was held on 25-27 January 2013. It could draw 400,000 worshippers to the temple during the 3 days. Another part of the relic from Kapilavastu is also at the Indian National Museum in New Delhi and the Golden Mount in Saket Temple in Bangkok. Also, the relic of Sri Subhuti Maha Viharaya Temple was also partly given to His Royal Highness Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn by Venerable Shasthrapathi Waskaduwe Mahindawansa Maha Nakaya Thero, the current Chief Incumbent of On 25 January 2013, H.E. Mr. Poldej Worachat, Sri Subhuti Maha Viharaya in 2000. Thai Ambassador to Sri Lanka attended the opening ceremony of the public display of the Buddha relic at Source: The Royal Thai Embassy, Sri Subhuti Maha Viharaya Temple in Waskaduwa, Sri Lanka. The opening ceremony was presided by H.E. Mr. Rajapaksa, the President of Sri Lanka. The displayed Buddha relic belonged to the Chief Incumbent of Sri Subhuti Maha Viharaya. It was discovered in Kapilavastu, India, by Sir Alexander Cunningham in 1898. The discovery became a great success thanks to Venerable Rajaguru Waskaduwe Sri Subhuti Thero, the Chief of Sri Subhuti Maha Viharaya Temple in the period. As a great expert of ancient foreign language, he helped Sir Cunningham to translate the inscription on the relic container so they can identify that the was the Buddha’s. Consequently, Sir Cunningham gave some part of the found relics to the

BANGLADESH-INDIA HOLD THE SECOND MEETING OF JOINT CONSULTATIVE COMMISSION

Commission (JCC) held on 16 -India Foundation; (ii) MOU on February 2013. Bangladesh Foreign Establishment of Akhaura-Agartala Minister Dr. Dipu Moni, MP led the Rail link; and (iii) Protocol Bangladesh delegation while the amending the Convention for the Indian delegation was led by Exter- Avoidance of Double Taxation and nal Affairs Minister Mr. Salman the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion Khurshid. The meeting reviewed the with respect to Taxes on Income. entire gamut of bilateral relations The Indian External Affairs Minister between the two friendly neighbor- also paid a courtesy call on the

ing countries and expressed satisfac- Hon’ble Prime Minister on 17 The External Affairs Minister of tion at the significant forward move- February 2013. India Mr. Salman Khurshid visited ment in implementation of the Source: Embassy of Bangladesh, Dhaka on 16-17 February 2013 to decisions earlier taken by the two Bangkok attend the second meeting of sides. During the visit, the two sides Bangladesh-India Joint Consultative signed three instruments: (i) MOU for Establishment of the Bangladesh Volume 63

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APRC CALLS ON PRESIDENT U THEIN SEIN Chair of the Asian Peace and Reconciliation Council (APRC), Dr. Surakiart Sathirathai, paid a courtesy call on President U Thein Sein of Myanmar at the Presiden- tial Palace in Nay Pyi Taw to introduce the APRC. The APRC has been established in Bangkok since September 2012, gathering a network of experienced leaders from in - and outside Asian continent. The body is intended to help regional peace efforts in a fast- moving and more complex world. Source:www.matichon.co.th

THE 2ND MEETING OF THE AD HOC THAILAND – INDIA JWG ON VISA AND CONSULAR MATTERS On 13th February 2013, the and Deputy Permanent Representative Department of South Asian, Middle to UNESCAP, the Embassy of India East and African Affairs held the in Bangkok, and was also attended Second Meeting of the ad hoc Thai- by representatives from the Depart- land – India Joint Working Group on ment of Consular Affairs. This meet- Visa and Consular Matters. It was ing was a follow – up to the first one co – chaired by Mr. Tomwit Jarnson, held on 6th June 2012. the Deputy Director – General of the Department, and Mr. Prashant Source: http://sameaf.mfa.go.th Agrawal, Deputy Chief of Mission

KATHMANDU-TOP TEN DESTINATION IN ASIA

display the full range of historic and artistic achievements for which the Kathmandu Valley is world famous. The seven include the Durbar Squares of Hanuman Dhoka (Kathmandu), Patan and Bhaktapur,

Tripadvisor.com, an international popular portal for travel has ranked Kathmandu as top ten destination in Asia in 2012 out of 25 listed. Its website has mentioned that Nepal’s capital is surrounded by a valley full of historic sites, ancient temples, shrines, and fascinating villages. Kathmandu Valley comprises the three ancient cities of Kathmandu, the Buddhist of Swayambhu Patan and Bhaktapur. UNESCO and Bauddhanath and the Hindu website says 'The cultural heritage temples of Pashupati and Changu of the Kathmandu Valley is Narayan'. illustrated by seven groups of monuments and buildings which Source: Embassy of Nepal, Bangkok Volume 63

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MinisterTHAI ofSMILE External STARTS Affairs of 3 SriNEW Lanka FL Prof.IGHTS GL PeirisLINKING THAILAND-INDIA who was currently in New Delhi in connection with the 8th Session of the India-Sri Lanka Joint Commission called on Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on 23 JanuaryAhmedabad(AMD)-Bangkok(BKK)-Ahmedabad 2013. (AMD)

DEEPENING INDIA – THAI DEFENCE ANDRoute MILITARYFlight Depar- COOPERATIONArrival Days of No. ture Operation

At the invitation of Raksha Mantri, Shri A. K. Antony,Ahmedabad- TG766 2359 0620+1 WED, SUN Air Chief Marshal Sukumpol Suwanatat, DefenceBangkok Minister of Thailand, paid an official visit to India from 21-23 December 2012.The two ministers had an exten-Bangkok- TG765 1930 2300 WED, SUN sive exchange of views on defence exchanges and Ahmedabadcoop- eration between the two countries, along with increas- THAI Smile, the new sub-brand business unit of ing joint military exercises. The two sides reaffirmedThe operation of 3 routes will further Thai Airways will start new services between New increase the number of Indian travelers to Thailand Delhi-Phuket,that the Thailand-India Mumbai-Phuket, Defence and highAhmedabad- level dialogue, which already exceeded 1 million in 2012. Recently on Bangkok,which tookeffective place from for 31 stthe March first 2013, time Mr. in KorakotNew Delhi in Chatasingha,December General-Manager,2011, should becomeThai Airways an annualin New 15event. January 2013 the Tourism Authority of Thailand Delhi,Source: announced. sameaf.mfa.go.th organized a Million Thanks party to celebrate million Indian travelers to Thailand and express thankfulness to The new 3 routes of THAI Smile to India are in Indian fans of the land of smiles. response to the growing demand for Indian travelers to travel to Thailand. Phuket is one of the top destinations The THAI Smile operates with brand-new, fuel- in Thailand for Indians, apart from Bangkok, Pattaya, efficient Airbus A320-200 jets. Each aircraft is and Hua Hin. And Ahmedabad (the largest city and configured with 166 seats (16 in Smile plus & 150 in former capital of the Indian state of Gujarat) is a city Economy class). The first five rows are designated as with growing potentials in tourism. Gujaratis are also ‘Smile Plus’, a short-haul business class service. well-known for being great travelers.

The schedules of the 3 new services effective from 31st March 2013 are;

New Delhi (DEL) – Phuket (HKT) – New Delhi (DEL)

Route Flight Depar- Arrival Days of No. ture Operation

New Delhi- TG762 0155 0755 TUE, FRI Phuket

Phuket-New TG761 2205 0055+1 MON, THU Delhi Mumbai (BOM)-Phuket (HKT)-Mumbai (BOM) Features and highlights of the new services to India include hot meals and drinks, free passenger seat Route Flight Depar- Arrival Days of selection and counter check-in procedures, 20 kg No. ture Operation baggage allowance for economy class and 30 kg for THAI Smile plus. THAI’s Royal Orchid Plus frequent Mumbai- TG764 0220 0820 THU, SUN flyer members can also accrue miles. for redeemable Phuket awards on THAI Smile. Phuket- TG763 2230 0110+1 WED, SAT Mumbai Source: http://www.thaiindia.net Volume 63

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SRI LANKAN MINISTER OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS PAID AN OFFICIAL VISIT TO BANGLADESH ON 13-14 FEBRUARY 2013

last year to deliver a keynote address at the international seminar on “Development and People’s Empowerment” organized by the government of Bangladesh, Prof. Peiris made reference to her remarks on that occasion about the sustained initiatives on the part of her government to make banking and sound financial practices popular among the rural people. In line with President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s strong emphasis on prosperity and innovation in the rural hinterland, Prof. Peiris said that, at his recent meeting in New Delhi with Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh of India, he had expressed the emphatic support of the Govern- ment of Sri Lanka for the proposal by the Commonwealth Secretary-General with regard to the establishment of a Commonwealth Bank for Trade and Investment.

Sri Lankan Minister of External Affairs Professor Gam- Entirely in keeping with priorities in countries like Sri ini Lakshman Peiris paid a courtesy call on the Prime Minis- Lanka and Bangladesh, he said that, throughout the delibera- ter of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina during his official visit to tions at the Commonwealth Summit in Colombo, Sri Lanka Bangladesh on 13-14 February 2013 Minister. will place stress on sustainability in respect of attainment of Millennium Development Goals, with particular reference to The Prime Minister of Bangladesh expressed apprecia- such areas as poverty alleviation, social mobility and climate tion of the noteworthy progress achieved by Sri Lanka dur- change. Of special concern to the host country, Sri Lanka, he ing the brief period since the eradication of terrorism, said observed, are practical strategies for skills development that she was looking forward to attending the Common- through the spread of technology to enable talented youth to wealth Heads of Government Meeting in Sri Lanka in make the maximum use of opportunities now increasingly November this year. She wished the Summit all success, opening up in the wake of unprecedented development of adding that her government would do everything in its highways, ports, harbours and other infrastructure. The power to ensure an entirely positive outcome. Prime Minister of Bangladesh commented that current developments in Sri Lanka already indicate the potential She made these remarks when Professor G.L. Peiris, which peace and stability make possible in this regard. Minister of External Affairs, called on her at the Prime Minister’s Office in Dhaka on Thursday during his two-day The Sri Lankan Minister of External Affairs also had a official visit to Bangladesh. meeting with the Foreign Minister Dr. Dipu Moni, MP at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 14 February 2013. In the Prof. Peiris briefed her comprehensively on the discus- meeting, they expressed satisfaction about the cordial rela- sions which the government of Sri Lanka held with tions between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Both the Ministers Mr. Kamalesh Sharma, Secretary-General of the Common- stressed on further strengthening cooperation in bilateral wealth, during his visit to Colombo this week. He explained trade and connectivity through establishing direct shipping to the Prime Minister of Bangladesh the plans being made and air links for mutual benefit of the two countries. by Sri Lanka to ensure that the themes and the emphasis of Recognizing the importance of institutional mechanism for the discussions at the upcoming Summit would yield results strengthening bilateral relations, the two sides agreed to set which are immediately beneficial to all Member States of the up two joint working groups-one on trade and the other on Commonwealth, especially developing nations which shipping. They also emphasized on strengthening comprise the overwhelming majority of the Commonwealth. linkages between the business people of both the sides. Recalling with pleasure his previous meeting with Prime Source: Embassy of Bangladesh and Embassy of Minister Sheikh Hasina when he visited Dhaka in August Sri Lanka, Bangkok BIMSTEC Upcoming Activities Date Activity Venue Date Activity Venue th 66 –– 88 March March 2013 2013 TheThe 55th Sub-Group Sub-Group Meeting Meeting on onCombating Combating the Dhaka,Dhaka, Bangladesh Bangladesh Financing of Terrorism

The Department of International Economic Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand has compiled this issue on behalf of the BIMSTEC Working Group.